Although it won't be ready for this week's iPad launch, Sling Media is working hard on a mobile version of its SlingPlayer optimized for iPad. The new version will take full advantage of the iPad and provide higher-quality streaming video.

For those iPad users with a Slingbox, content can be streamed from your cable or satellite box over a broadband Internet connection. The video stream can then be watched using SlingPlayer software from any computer or compatible mobile device. Sling Media made the news recently with the release of a 3G-streaming version of the SlingPlayer for iPhone.

Independent publishers will now have iPad distribution channels available thanks to Apple deals with Lulu and Smashwords. Lulu announced that it would automatically convert books from its own format into the ePub format at no cost, unless the author declines the service.

The author would then get the remainder of proceeds after Lulu and Apple are paid a percentage when the book sells via iBooks. Lulu supports the ePub and PDF formats with and without digital rights management included. For its part, Smashwords stated that authors selling ePub formatted books included in their premium catalog will see distribution on Apple's iBookstore at iPad launch.

Another phase of the iPad video saga has begun with Brightcove's announcement that HTML5 is now supported by their online video platform. This vastly simplifies video and advertisement publishing for Brightcove's 1,000-plus clients who are interested in entering the iPad arena. The company will continue to support Adobe Flash.

Brightcove chairman and CEO Jeremy Allaire stated, "Our customers want to be able to deliver their video content to every screen without sacrificing the quality, interactivity and monetization capabilities they have come to expect from the Brightcove platform. The Brightcove Experience for HTML5 fills the gap between the current playback capabilities of the emerging standard and what our customers need to operate successful online video businesses."

Until you can get your hands on an actual iPad, the next best thing may be Apple's new Guided Tour videos. Featuring 11 of the iPad's applications, Apple illustrates the capabilities of the new device and its software in several different scenarios.

The native apps featured in the videos include Safari, Mail, Photos, Videos, YouTube, iPod, and iTunes. Additional applications with guided tours include iBooks, Keynote, Pages, and Numbers. Each video runs 2-3 minutes and shows in detail the major features of each application.

After many early iPad pre-orders were updated several days ago to indicate that they were prepared for shipment, Apple has actually begun shipping those orders. Many eager iPad owners-to-be were happily greeted by an Apple shipping notification, such as the one shown in the image below, sitting in their inbox.

Somewhat interestingly, despite most outlets previously assuming it would be FedEx handling the Saturday deliveries of Apple's long awaited tablet, early reports from consumers indicate that UPS is handling the initial shipment of iPads. Despite some customer concerns that UPS does not deliver on Saturday, the UPS website clearly states "For time-critical shipments, UPS offers the convenience of Saturday Delivery."

Looking to avoid lines at the Apple Store on April 3rd? Apple has confirmed that Best Buy will carry all three Wi-Fi only models in "most" of its stores starting at 9 am. Unfortunately, TUAW found out that inventory will be limited to only 15 units per store, with each model equally represented in stock. This means that only 5 of each iPad will be available at each store.

The 9 am release time means that Best Buy stores will not open early for the event. Best Buy's website has no mention of the iPad as of this writing and the device will not be available for online ordering from the company at this time. As for which Best Buy stores will actually have 15 iPads in stock, those labeled as Apple Solutions Consultants (ASC) and “Apple Shops” will have the device and accessories.

Apple's online store has been updated to show that iPad pre-orders placed from now on will not be shipped on April 3rd. The new shipping date is April 12th for Wi-Fi only models, and remains late April for Wi-Fi + 3G iPads.

The company has not announced sales figures, although several estimates have put the number anywhere between 250 and 500 thousand units. iPads that are pre-ordered from now on will not be available for in-store pickup, suggesting that Apple has sold out of its first batch of devices.

Many customers who pre-ordered an iPad for delivery on launch day are now seeing updates to their iPad order status. WiFi only iPad models, in many cases, have had their status updated to 'Prepared for Shipment' (see screen shot below). Knowing their brand new iPad is boxed up and ready to go, simply awaiting dispatch, will certainly make already impatient iPad buyers even more itchy for next Saturday's shipment to arrive.

Apple now officially owns the trademark for the term "iPad". A recent article on patentauthority.com details the transfer of the iPad trademark, which was first registered in 2003 by Fujitsu, to Apple Inc. (AAPL).

Fujitsu originally registered the trademark for its now-defunct iPad device, a hand held computer that was used by retailers for inventory and check-out purposes.

Initial expectations that Apple would challenge the iPad trademark were confirmed when Apple initiated opposition proceedings last year. However, according to the article, these proceedings never progressed and left Apple only to file extensions on their proceedings, with Apple filing its last extension in December of last year.

Another report out of MacRumors today reveals that iPad applications that will be available to iPad owners on release day have begun showing up in the iPad App Store. Though the article makes no mention of how MacRumors was able to access the App Store, it provides some notable details on what is currently available.

Perhaps interestingly, of the current top eight iPad applications (by revenue), all are games. Of course, it is completely unclear how many of the lucky few with an advance iPad are out there, so these statistics could be completely meaningless.